Britain's What's On Event Guide
A Critical Stage
Enjoyable, sharp, and immaculately acted - The Reviews Hub
**** for this clever play… With four on-point performances complementing each other perfectly, allowing Gareth Armstrong’s script to freely flow, the writer also directs with an eye to place, props, and pacing. - LouReviews
a charming, period piece, which perfectly evokes war-torn London, and gives us a fascinating insight into Agate’s lifestyle…well worth the trip to Turnham Green - Uk Theatre Web
A Critical Stage is a gentle, but nonetheless highly enjoyable, witty and surprisingly layered production - Jack The Lad Mag
**** “A very witty script that lands squarely with a couple of surprises supported by larger than life character actors! A must-see production of great entertainment. - Theatre Reviews Designs
1942 and in a wartime London of blackouts, rationing and the Blitz, James Agate, famous author and theatre critic, refuses to change his lifestyle. But if the bombs can’t curb his passion for hard work, high living and illicit encounters, there are soon some bombshells threatening to blow his world apart.
Agate has written a damning review of Gwen, a prominent actress who confronts him in a lively battle of words. He is looked after by Smike, a young and tolerant houseboy and he also has a volatile relationship with his secretary, Leo, an Austrian Jewish refugee. Agate’s increasingly careless behaviour is not going unnoticed with his bosses at the Sunday Times newspaper…
The play is based on real life events; James Agate was a hugely influential English writer, theatre, music and literary critic in the mid-twentieth century. A self-educated polymath, prolific author and indiscreet homosexual, his impact on the theatre, arts criticism and the cultural life of Britain was enormous.
A Critical Stage is an amusing and provocative exploration of the roles of critic and artist and plays a limited three week run at the Tabard.
**** for this clever play… With four on-point performances complementing each other perfectly, allowing Gareth Armstrong’s script to freely flow, the writer also directs with an eye to place, props, and pacing. - LouReviews
a charming, period piece, which perfectly evokes war-torn London, and gives us a fascinating insight into Agate’s lifestyle…well worth the trip to Turnham Green - Uk Theatre Web
A Critical Stage is a gentle, but nonetheless highly enjoyable, witty and surprisingly layered production - Jack The Lad Mag
**** “A very witty script that lands squarely with a couple of surprises supported by larger than life character actors! A must-see production of great entertainment. - Theatre Reviews Designs
1942 and in a wartime London of blackouts, rationing and the Blitz, James Agate, famous author and theatre critic, refuses to change his lifestyle. But if the bombs can’t curb his passion for hard work, high living and illicit encounters, there are soon some bombshells threatening to blow his world apart.
Agate has written a damning review of Gwen, a prominent actress who confronts him in a lively battle of words. He is looked after by Smike, a young and tolerant houseboy and he also has a volatile relationship with his secretary, Leo, an Austrian Jewish refugee. Agate’s increasingly careless behaviour is not going unnoticed with his bosses at the Sunday Times newspaper…
The play is based on real life events; James Agate was a hugely influential English writer, theatre, music and literary critic in the mid-twentieth century. A self-educated polymath, prolific author and indiscreet homosexual, his impact on the theatre, arts criticism and the cultural life of Britain was enormous.
A Critical Stage is an amusing and provocative exploration of the roles of critic and artist and plays a limited three week run at the Tabard.
Tuesday 6 Jun 2023
Theatre at the Tabard
2 Bath Road
Chiswick London W4 1LW
Tuesday to Friday 7.30pmSaturdays 2pm & 6pm
Sunday 2pm
Tickets £23.50/£19.50 - performances up to 11th June
£25.50/£21.50 - performances 13th to 17th June
Organised by
Theatre at the Tabard
Spread the word